Friday, 2 February 2001

CONTENTS

Finance Minister Takis Klerides in a speech at the London School of
Economics yesterday, analysed the most important issues in the recent
history of Cyprus since independence, with the exception of the Turkish
invasion.

He outlined the progress achieved so far in the accession negotiations and
described the challenges and benefits that the EU accession course entails
for Cyprus.

Moreover, he outlined the Government's strategy to tackle these challenges
and evaluated the progress so far achieved.

He said the Government envisages the accession of the whole territory of
the island to the EU and it undertakes all efforts for a just and viable
solution to the problem within the framework of the UN resolutions on
Cyprus.

He recalled that President Clerides has invited the Turkish Cypriots to
nominate representatives as full and active members of the team in the
accession negotiations with the EU, an invitation, which still remains on
the table and has not been taken up.

He also pointed out that according to the conclusions of the Helsinki
European Council, while a political settlement to the Cyprus problem will
facilitate the accession of Cyprus to the European Union, it does not
nevertheless constitute a precondition for accession.